Today is the fasting day of Teej, observed by women all over Nepal. The singing and dancing sober down today as women fast for the health and long life of their husbands or, for the unmarried, to find a good husband. Not being a believer in getting benefits from others' sacrifice, I believe that, if they wish, they can fast; but they should not feel obliged to do so. Wearing red sarees, green beads joined by a gold ornament slung over a shoulder, women bear a certain aura today.
While Teej is being celebrated, the nation is being teased to an ominous situation by a cabal of politicians who cannot see further than their self-interest. Yes, of course, it is the new constitution "fast-tracked" for promulgation on Sunday 20 September 2015. If only our reconstruction and development efforts were fast-tracked in this manner! In four days, if the situation remains as is, this release of the long-awaited document may very well release the political fury of the Terai-based parties, the ethnic Tharus, Magars, Limbus, as well as those who have not given up yet on a Hindu state. The constitution was promised by a year after the last elections. That self-imposed deadline went by months ago. Now, in the name of I know not what, it is being rushed through without serious attempts at ameliorating the differences with the disgruntled parties. Various politicians are saying that prolonging the constitution drafting process will endanger the nation. Pardon my ignorance, but all that will be endangered is: Mr. Oli may have to wait a bit longer to be Prime Minister, the current Prime Minister also may have to wait to be President with the additional accolade of having promulgated the constitution during his watch, and the comrades are in a rush to ensure that a federated state comes into being quickly so that they don't look like fools if it does not.
Armageddon or Arcadia? Either way, the die is cast.
While Teej is being celebrated, the nation is being teased to an ominous situation by a cabal of politicians who cannot see further than their self-interest. Yes, of course, it is the new constitution "fast-tracked" for promulgation on Sunday 20 September 2015. If only our reconstruction and development efforts were fast-tracked in this manner! In four days, if the situation remains as is, this release of the long-awaited document may very well release the political fury of the Terai-based parties, the ethnic Tharus, Magars, Limbus, as well as those who have not given up yet on a Hindu state. The constitution was promised by a year after the last elections. That self-imposed deadline went by months ago. Now, in the name of I know not what, it is being rushed through without serious attempts at ameliorating the differences with the disgruntled parties. Various politicians are saying that prolonging the constitution drafting process will endanger the nation. Pardon my ignorance, but all that will be endangered is: Mr. Oli may have to wait a bit longer to be Prime Minister, the current Prime Minister also may have to wait to be President with the additional accolade of having promulgated the constitution during his watch, and the comrades are in a rush to ensure that a federated state comes into being quickly so that they don't look like fools if it does not.
Armageddon or Arcadia? Either way, the die is cast.
6 comments:
Either way the die is cast as you say. We never seem to make any decisions at all and for whatever shady reason I am impressed these goons made a firm decision this time.
Nepali lives are plagued by indecision. Sometimes a bad decision I think is better than no decision.
Not sure about your last sentence. This bad decision may well cost a lot of lives and further delay this unnecessary constitution.
Yes but no decision or procrastination you could argue will continue to cost lives as is currently happening now in the Terai. No guarantee that postponement will not cost lives.
It is ominous that the Kot Massacre took place at midnight of Asoj 2/3 1903 B.S. Nepal is going to promulgate a new constitution on Asoj 3 2072, exactly 169 years after the rise of Jung Bahadur Rana. The million $ question is who is going to be the next Junge!
Subodh, what a great historical tidbit!! Just reading this was enough to have a cold chill run down my spine. However hope this will remain a historical tidbit.
The next Junge' may come from the south or, if the nerve is there, from the military ranks...
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